The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-03
END OF THE JERSEY CONTEST
Rufus BloGgett Chosen United States
Senator to Succeed Gen. SeWell.
Thirty Three Republicans Cast Their Ballots
for the Successful Candidate-Scenes of
Great Excitement in the Assembly.
Special 10 the indianapolis Journal.

Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal.
TRENTON N. j., March 2.-Rufus Blodgett,
ex-member of the Legislature, of Ocean county,
superintendent of the New York &c Long Branch
railroad, and one Of the most active of Demo
cratic politicians in the State, was elected to the
United States Senate this afternoon, TO succeed
General Sewell whose term expires on Friday
of this week. Had the Legislature resolved it
self into mob for the purpose of eleeting Sen
ator there could not have been much more tur-
bulence Never before in this State has there
been recorded such scene Of disorder. The
galleries of the chamber, the floor and the lobbies
were packed with people, and the cheers of the
crowd as points were made for the Albeit or
ant:-Abbett forces are beyond expression. The
cheering almost continuous, despite 0cca-
sional orders of the President to clear the gall
leries The members of the Legislature them
selves appeared to forget their position. and the
Albeit forces, particularly, knowing that defeat
stared them in the face. we're bitter and almost
violent in denouneing the antiAbbett men.
Several OF the leading Democrats were enraged,
and during the whole proceeding epithets of
hate were hurled in voices loud enough to be
heard throughout the chamber The election Of
ssstr. Blodsstt was secured by the aid Of thirty
eight Republicans and three anti-Abbett Demo
crats--Assembymen Kinney ard Throckmorton,
and Senator Chattle. Senator Chase, Democrat.
afterward changed from Albeit to Blodgett.
thereby making forty two votes for Blodgett-
Just one above the majority necessary to elect.
The joint Assembly met at noon, but ad-
journed until o'clock. Tine Republicans i'm
mediately went into caucus and consummated
fn,a al nf ao<;A hiatt
Democrat, When the joint Assembly was
called to order, at o'clock the Albeit men
found that two of their number were missing.
Net yet despairine, they resorted to ilibuster
ING for half hour, in order to dis
patch messengers for the missing members.
During the delay the missing members appeared.
A vote was then ordered. The first name on the
list is Alderman, Republican leader. The
seat IN perfect silence and repeated the name
of Rufus Blodgett. Following Alderman, came
Armstrong, who is the Republican leader
of the House, and who is General Sewelrs right
All the Republicans followed suit, with the ex
cepton of Col. Sam Dickinson and Mr.. Lifts.
These gentlemen voted for Sewel Senator
Chase, Democrat, who had voted in all the
meetings for Ex-Governor Ludlow, cast his
vote Atbett amid wild shouts and applause
When Carroll, one of the labor members. arose
to vote. all noise ceased. He said, with his
voice trembling with emotion, that the fight had
narrowed down between railroad and
an antrailroad man, and he would vote
for an anti-monopolist, Leon Albeit
The vote was announced: BlOdgett, 49, Alb
bett 3S; Kays, /, Potter. l; Sewell, 2; total, 81
nounced no election.
Another ballot was taken amid great disorder
The Republicans, except Dickinson aud Lifts
voted for Blodgett. Dickinson voted for Sewell
far Tha Dam
Gratis. - excepting Chattle. Throekmor
ton and Kinney, voted for Albeit
Kinney changed to Blodgett, and was Kissed b,
the Democrats Carroll voted for Albeit, ant
announced Dickinson (Rep.) changed from
Sewell TO Bloegett, giving the latter Al, ant
electing him. Albeit received 80 and Potter !
The scene that followed was like bedlam
Everyone seemed to be cursing everyone
, else. Men sprang upon the desks ant
shouted for recognition, and Chairman Fisl
broke his gavel in trying to restore order Thel
the Democrats arose on masse and wanted 4
change their votes from Albeit to Sewell Th
chairman said no change could be made till tn
vote was announced. The Democrats crowde,
around the desk and shook their fist
under the chairman's nose. A doze
Democrats shouted that they change
their votes to Sewell, bat it was too late. Ed
wards rushed down the aisle. waving paper
saying he had a message from Albeit 1t wa
read and proved to be thanks to the faithfr
Democrats. 1t said it "better to hav
elected n poor Democrat than n good Reput
iican,n in substance Then the Democrats wo
changed to Sewell changed back to Abhet
and there was wild cheering for Abbot
Finally, the chairman got chance to shout ths
Blodgett was elected roar of Kisses and ca
calls greeting the announcement Baird clappe
his hands This enraged Heppenheimer an AL
bett Democrat so much that he picked up Law
book aud hurled it at Baird, whom he denounee
as backalider. The book fell short. Ami
such exciting scenes as this the chairman d,
cared the Joint assembly adjourned sine die